A first teen therapy appointment at Blackburn Clinical Services can take place in our West LA office or by secure video for clients located in California. Parents are involved at the start, then your teen has one-on-one time with the therapist. The goal of the first visit is simple: understand what is going on, explain how privacy and parent involvement work, and agree on next steps, which can include family sessions. There is no test to pass and nothing your teen has to say on day one. Blackburn sees teens ages 13 to 17 at 12326 Venice Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066, in Mar Vista.
Call (888) 870 7405
Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM. Parents usually make the first call, and we schedule within those weekday hours.
Who this guide is for
Parents of high school students who have decided to try therapy, or are close to it, and want to know what will actually happen. It is also written so you can share parts of it with your teen. Knowing what to expect is one of the easiest ways to lower a teen’s anxiety about going. Families at private and independent high schools often ask how appointments fit around a demanding school day; see the scheduling section below.
Before the appointment
The first phone call
When you call (888) 870 7405, we listen first. Expect us to ask what is going on, how old your teen is, what school schedule you are working around and whether there are any safety concerns. We explain how the first appointment is scheduled within our weekday hours and how fees work (see fees and insurance).
Things worth jotting down
You do not need to prepare anything formal, but these notes help:
- What has changed and roughly when it started (sleep, mood, school, friends, activities)
- Any medications your teen takes
- Past therapy, evaluations or testing, and what did or did not help
- Anything a school counselor, teacher or pediatrician has raised
- Your questions, including any about privacy
Talking with your teen beforehand
Tell your teen ahead of time, not on the drive over. Be honest about why (“I’ve noticed you’ve been really stressed, and I want you to have someone to talk to”), tell them you will be there at the start, and that they will have time to talk on their own. If your teen is resisting, see my teen won’t go to therapy.
At the first appointment
Parents at the start
Parents are involved at the beginning. This is your chance to share what you have noticed and what worries you, and to hear how we work with teens and families.
How privacy works
At the first appointment, we explain our approach to privacy and parent involvement: what stays between your teen and the therapist, what parents will hear, and the safety exceptions. For background on California law, see teen therapy and privacy in California.
One-on-one time for your teen
Your teen then spends time with the therapist on their own. Teens often say more when a parent is not in the room, and this is where trust starts. Your teen does not need to have the right words. Part of the therapist’s job is to make it easier to talk.
Next steps
By the end, you should have a sense of what happens next. Depending on what your teen needs, that can include:
- Ongoing one-on-one therapy in our office or by secure video for clients located in California
- Family sessions, so parents and teens can work on communication and conflict together (see support for parents of a struggling teen)
- A psychiatric evaluation, if medication might help; psychiatric care can be arranged
- Testing, if there are questions about attention or learning (see ADHD and learning evaluations for private school teens)
- More support than weekly therapy, through the Blackburn Concierge Outpatient Program, an individualized, one-on-one alternative to a traditional IOP with no groups, typically 3 to 5 hours a week of focused therapy
Scheduling around school
Appointments are Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM, with flexible scheduling within those hours. Many families use a free period, a late start, an early dismissal or the end of the school day. If your teen will miss class time, we can provide documentation for your teen’s school when clinically appropriate. With your written permission, we can also coordinate with a school counselor or dean.
Ready to book a first appointment? Call (888) 870 7405
Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM, with flexible scheduling within those hours.
After the first appointment
- Ask lightly. “How was it?” is enough. Let your teen share what they want to.
- Give it a few sessions. The first visit can feel awkward. Fit and trust build over several sessions.
- Keep the routine steady. The same day and time each week makes therapy part of life rather than an event.
- Raise concerns directly. If something is not working, tell us. Family sessions are a good place to do it.
Related guides
- Therapy for private school students in Los Angeles
- How to find a therapist for your teen in Los Angeles
- Does my teen need therapy? A 2 minute parent checklist
- Adolescent services at Blackburn
When to get urgent help
Blackburn is an outpatient practice, not a crisis service. If your teen talks about suicide or self-harm, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, available 24 hours a day. If your teen is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. See if your teen talks about self-harm or suicide.
If a psychiatric evaluation is the next step, read what to expect at a teen psychiatric evaluation.
Questions parents ask
Do parents come to the first teen therapy appointment?
Yes. At Blackburn, parents are involved at the start of care, and your teen also has one-on-one time with the therapist. Family sessions can be part of the plan after that.
Is the first appointment in person?
It can be. Therapy can take place in our office at 12326 Venice Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066, in Mar Vista, West Los Angeles, or by secure video for clients located in California. Ask which works best for the first appointment when you call.
What should my teen expect to talk about?
Whatever feels most pressing to them, at their own pace. Your teen does not need to prepare or have the right words. The therapist will also explain how privacy works.
Can appointments fit around the school day?
Appointments are Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM, with flexible scheduling within those hours. Many families use a free period, a late start or the end of the school day, and we can provide documentation for your teen’s school when clinically appropriate.
What if my teen needs medication or testing?
If medication might help, psychiatric care can be arranged. If there are questions about attention or learning, we can talk with you about testing.
How do I book a first appointment?
Call (888) 870 7405, Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM. Parents usually make the first call.